Dish detergent and wetsuits?

[unclepickle1]

After a dive, I left my wetsuit to soak in fresh water with some dish detergent, but a few minutes later I took it out and hosed it off because I read online that dish detergent is bad for wetsuits. Could I have caused any damage to it? It was only in there about 5 minutes. Its a brand new suit so I just want to be sure.

 

[D_B]

I have used dish washing detergent, and so does the LDS for the rentals, but they use only a very small squirt
I just use some of the little trip hotel bottles of hair shampoo

 

[Jax]

I use woolite, about a Tablespoon. I have 10-year-old suits that are still in great shape.

 

[firemedic1015]

I use a small amount of dish soap to was my wetsuit on a regular basis and have not noticed any damage. I do that or put it in a front load washing machine with a small amount of laundry detergent and put it on the gentle cycle. No problems either way.

 

[Louie]

I wouldn't worry too much about using dish detergent. It's a fairly easy way to get rid of that dreadful smell that comes with neoprene that's been in the water.

It's fairly standard practice in many dive shops and resorts - sometimes, they add disinfectant to the wash water - to tackle the pee element.

 

[Jax]

After a dive, I left my wetsuit to soak in fresh water with some dish detergent, but a few minutes later I took it out and hosed it off because I read online that dish detergent is bad for wetsuits. Could I have caused any damage to it? It was only in there about 5 minutes. Its a brand new suit so I just want to be sure.

Uncle Pickle,

I use a tablespoon of Woolite in a front loading machine. Front loading is important because you don't have that central agitator beating the @#$%^& out of your neoprene. Again, my and my buddy's 10-y/o suits are in excellent shape. A tablespoon of Lysol or other good disinfectent is also suitable.

The same amounts in about half a 33-gal trash can of water also work. I suggest occasional 'sloshing' with a broom handle or the like.

Please remember to rinse your suit well after whatever means you use. Soap left in anything is a dirt magnet.

 

[Sas]

Dish detergent is fine, I know dive shops that use it and also friends who have been diving for years and using that in a wash tub and their gear is still fine. My gear is also going well, and I use a bit when washing also.

 

[mselenaous]

You can use just about anything NONtoxic - just use tiny amounts. Remember that unrinsed residues will soak out into our environment. Like Jax said, a tablespoon in a washing machine will do it. I use Woolite for darks or baby shampoo and toss mine in the washing machine (delicate soak non-agitating cycle) to soak, rinse, drain before hanging. If it gets too funky, soak it (don't rinse afterwards with Mirazyme or Sink-the-stink (both kill the odor causing bacteria that can linger in neoprene) or mouthwash (disinfects).

Here's a couple old funny threads you will enjoy. I don't recommend reading these while wearing your suit cause you'll pee on yourself with laughter.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/exposure-suits/44464-my-booty-stinks.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...diving/294349-holy-crap-my-booties-stink.html

Just thought I'd add a bit of Sunday nite humor.

 

[Bryan]

I use a small glug of Simple Green in my washing machine to soak my suit. I don't let it agitate for more than 5 minutes (turning it inside out at 2.5 minutes) at the slowest setting.

Then, I drain and rinse in Mirazyme, agitating on delicate for 2.5 minutes, turning it inside out, and agitating it again for 2.5 minutes, before hanging it to dry.

Both products are safe for the environment, and aren't terribly expensive.

 

[jscott099]

I second the Woolite comment. Used it for years. Doesn't damage anything as far as I can tell and the BC's and wet suits seem to retain their newness look longer. Much cheaper than those BC and wetsuit specialty cleaning products. When done with the clean, a good rinse always is good.